The marímbula (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈɾimbula]) is a plucked box musical instrument from the Caribbean. In Cuba, it is often used in the changüí music style and older forms of son. In Mexico, it is called marimbol and is played in son jarocho. In the Dominican Republic, it is known as marimba and is used in merengue típico. In Jamaica, it is called rumba box and is played in mento music.

The marímbula is usually grouped with lamellophones, a type of musical instrument. Unlike African lamellophones like the mbira, which create complex sounds with many notes and rhythms, the marímbula often acts like a bass guitar, providing rhythm and harmony for a musical group. It can also play simple melodies.

Marímbulas come in many different designs. These differences include the material used for the resonator, the number and placement of keys, the size and shape of the instrument, and how it is played.

Characteristics

It is made up of a wooden box with a sound hole in the center. Over the hole, several metal strips are attached at one end to the resonating box. These strips are adjusted to create different musical notes and are plucked to produce a low-pitched sound that forms the music's foundation.

History

The marimbula has its roots in African musical traditions. It was first created in the Oriente province of Cuba during the 19th century. Over time, the instrument spread to many places, including the Caribbean, the Americas, and parts of Africa, such as Liberia and the Congo. By the 1930s, it had reached Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and even New York City. In Cuba, it is called marímbula, and many other Caribbean countries use similar names, such as marimba, malimba, manimba, or marimbol. The instrument is also known by other names in different regions, including marímbola (Puerto Rico), bass box, calimba (calymba), rhumba box, Church & Clap, Jazz Jim or Lazy Bass (Jamaica), and box lamellophone.

African slaves in the Caribbean made musical instruments using materials they found around them. Early marimbulas were built from wooden packing crates, with keys made from flexible wood, bamboo, old saw blades, and springs. The musician sits on top of the box and plucks the keys while tapping the sides of the box like a drum. The way the instrument was made and played is similar to the cajon box drum.

The marimbula played an important role in the development of Afro-Cuban music. It was a key instrument used by changüí musicians. Both changüí and son music styles formed from the blending of African and Spanish musical traditions. Changüí musicians often play a pair of tack-head bongos, marímbula, maracas, güiro, and tres to accompany singing. Most of these instruments are handmade using local materials, unlike instruments made for sale in stores. The oldest known recordings of the marímbula in Cuba were made by Terceto Yoyo and Sexteto Habanero in 1925.

The marimbula was one of many instruments brought from the Americas to Africa. It is still played today in various forms in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ghana, and Nigeria.

In Jamaica, the marimbula became popular in churches, nightclubs, and hotels. It was called "Church & Clap" in churches, "Jazz Jim" in nightclubs, and was used by hotel performers playing mento music. Today, mento musicians like The Jolly Boys still use the instrument.

Recently, the marimbula has become popular again among hip hop artists and mbira players, such as Chartwell Dutiro and The Jolly Boys.